Gluing, sealing and coating compound

ABSTRACT

A gluing, sealing and coating compound based on a styrene copolymer is characterized in that the styrene copolymer mainly contains styrene and in that it contains an aromatic compound-free polyalkylene oxide and/or its fatty derivative. These non-toxic plastcizers are easily tolerated and increase stickiness, elasticity and stretchability. These compounds are therefore suitable as binders for producing glues, coatings and sealing compounds.

This invention relates to an adhesive, sealing and coating compoundbased on a copolymer of styrene with at least one other comonomer and apolyalkylene oxide as plasticizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compounds of the type in question are known. Thus, U.S. Pat. No.4,869,934 describes a composition for smoothing, cleaning and coatingfloors which consists, for example, of the following components: 31.2parts by weight of a copolymer of butyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid,methyl methacrylate and styrene in a ratio of 10:18:52:20, 1.6 parts byweight of the permanent plasticizer (BuOCH₂CH₂O)₃PO and 7.0 parts byweight of the volatile plasticizer Me(OC₃H₆)₂OH and about 48 parts byweight of water. This known composition has the disadvantage that atleast the volatile plasticizers pollute the environment or are eventoxic.

The product “Plastilit 3060” is described in BASF's TechnicalInformation Pamphlet TI/ED 1115 d-1 of January, 1984. This product is apolypropylene glycol alkyl phenyl ether which is used as a plasticizerfor polymer dispersions, more particularly for polyacrylates. Polymersspecifically mentioned include a copolymer of styrene and butyl acrylateand a copolymer of ethyl acrylate, ethyl hexyl acrylate andacrylonitrile. Compositions of the type in question may be used, forexample, as sealing compounds which form a skin shortly afterapplication, undergo relatively little post-curing and exhibit betterelastic behavior at low temperatures. In addition, in conjunction withfillers, they form paste-like tile adhesives which combine favorabletensile strengths with high elasticity. The plasticizer has anelasticizing effect on the copolymer without significantly affecting thewater absorption of the film. Thus, the elongation of a film increasesalmost linearly from about 300% to 4,000% after the addition of 9% ofplasticizer. So far as the biological effect of the plasticizer isconcerned, the information available suggests that it has nohealth-damaging effects although there could be some irritation of theskin and mucous membrane after prolonged exposure. Another disadvantageis that the viscosity of the dispersion is significantly increased bythe addition of Plastilit 3060. The addition of fillers is seriouslylimited as a result. In addition, there is hardly any scope for addingother plasticizers.

The same disadvantages also apply to the following two documents. Polishpatent PL 119091 describes a non-toxic and non-inflammable adhesive forceramics and plastics which, in addition to an acrylate/styrenedispersion, contains polypropylene glycol alkyl phenyl ether, fillers,organic solvents and water.

German patent DE 36 38 224 describes an elastic sealing material whichcontains a styrene/butadiene rubber, an α-methyl styrene polymer,solvents, such as hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons, andpolypropylene glycol alkyl phenyl ether.

Czech patent CS 259825 describes a contact adhesive for labels and tapeswhich mainly contains a copolymer of acrylates, unsaturated carboxylicacids and, optionally, styrene, alkyl styrene or vinyl acetate. Othercomponents are organic solvents and plasticizers such as, for example,polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Against the background of this prior art, the problem addressed by thepresent invention was to provide a non-toxic composition of a styrenecopolymer and a non-aromatic plasticizer which would be suitable for useas a binder and would provide acceptable adhesion.

The solution provided by the invention is defined in the claims and ischaracterized in that the styrene copolymer mainly contains styrenewhile the plasticizer is a non-aromatic polyalkylene glycol and/or anoleochemical derivative thereof.

The styrene copolymer mainly contains styrene or methyl styrene,preferably more than 30% by weight and, in particular, more than 60% byweight, based on the monomers as a whole, and at most 98% by weight,more particularly 85% by weight. Comonomers of styrene or methyl styreneare, in particular, acrylates and methacrylates containing 1 to 12carbon atoms in the alcohol component, more particularly 2 to 8 carbonatoms. The acrylates may also contain reactive groups for subsequentcrosslinking. Other suitable comonomers are vinyl ester, maleic acidester, ethylene, acrylamide, acrylic acid, butadiene and acrylonitrilewhich may be used both individually and in the form of mixtures.Statistical copolymers with a molecular weight of more than 100,000g/mole (gel chromatography) are preferably produced from the monomersmentioned above. Commercially available styrene copolymers are Acronal290 D, Scopacryl D 343, Ubatol VAF 1539, Acronal S 360 D, Scopacryl PAAD 8875, Acronal S 400, Acronal S 401, Styrofan A 900, Rhodopas DS 913,Joncryl 678, Vinnapas LL 6010 and SAF 54, Neocryl A 621 (copolymers ofstyrene and acrylic acid ester); Pliotec LS 1 (terpolymer of styrene,butyl acrylate and methacrylic aid); Mowilith DM 611, Mowilith DM 680,Styropor P 555 (pure styrene); Buna EM 2116, Styrolux 684 D, Rhodopas SB012 (copolymers of styrene and butadiene); Novodur P2M, Synthomer VL10286 (terpolymers of styrene, butadiene and acrylonitrile).

The styrene copolymers may be prepared by known methods, moreparticularly by emulsion or bead polymerization. Aqueous dispersionswith a concentration of about 40 to 70% by weight of styrene copolymerare formed. However, the styrene copolymers may also be produced by bulkor solution polymerization.

In the context of the invention, a polyalkylene oxide is a polyetherwith the general formula X(R—O—)_(n)H where R may be one or more(preferably one) of the following groups: ethylene, propylene ortetramethylene group; n is a number of 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 30 andmore preferably 4 to 20; X is a non-aromatic starter molecule containing1 to 12 and, more particularly, 1 to 6 functional groups. Preferredpolyalkylene oxides are polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol.However, polybutylene glycols are also suitable. Block copolymers ofpolyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol may also be used. Theterminal OH groups may also be completely or partly esterified (forexample with fatty acids or dicarboxylic acids) or etherified. Themolecular weight (osmotic number average) is preferably 5,000, moreparticularly below 2,500 and above all below 1,500. Commerciallyavailable polyalkylene oxides include polypropylene glycols 420, 620 and2020 (Hüils AG), Pluronic types (BASF), Voranols (Dow) and polyglycols(Hoechst).

The polyalkylene oxides are generally produced by polyaddition ofethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide onto water, ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol, polyglycerol,trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, glucose,polysaccharides, ammonia, triethanolamine, carboxylic acids, etc.

Other suitable starter molecules for this polyaddition are fattycompounds containing functional groups which react with ethylene oxideor propylene oxide. These fatty compounds contain on average 1 to 10 andpreferably 1.5 to 6.0 of at least one of the following functionalgroups: —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —COOH or anhydride or oxide groups in thepresence of water.

However, fatty compounds with no functional groups may also be used. Intheir case, however, catalytic quantities of water, alcohols orcarboxylic acids have to be added for the reaction.

Reactions of functionalized fatty derivatives, such as epoxidizedsoybean oil or triglyceride/MA adducts, with polyalkylene oxides alsolead to the products according to the invention.

“Fatty compounds” in the context of the invention are fatty acids, fattyalcohols and derivatives thereof providing they contain at least one ofthe functional groups mentioned above. In general, their molecularweight is above 100 and more particularly above 200. The upper limit is20,000 and preferably in the range from 300 to 1,500. The ratio byweight of the polyether to the reaction product of ethylene oxide orpropylene oxide with the fatty compound is 1:0.01 to 3 and preferably1:0.1 to 2.

“Fatty acids” in the context of the invention are understood to be acidscontaining one or more carboxyl groups (—COOH). The carboxyl groups maybe attached to saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groupscontaining more than 8 carbon atoms and, in particular, more than 12carbon atoms. Besides the —OH, —SH, —C═C—, —COOH, amino, anhydride orepoxide groups described above, they may contain other groups, such asether, ester, halogen, amide, amino, urethane and urea groups. However,carboxylic acids, such as native fatty acids or fatty acid mixtures,dimer fatty acids and trimer fatty acids, are preferred. Specificexamples of the fatty acids besides the saturated types are, inparticular, the mono-or polyunsaturated acids palmitoleic, oleic,elaidic, petroselic, erucic, ricinoleic, hydroxymethoxystearic,12-hydroxystearic, linoleic, linolenic and gadoleic acid.

Besides the naturally occurring fatty acids, polyhydroxyfatty acids mayalso be used. They may be obtained, for example, by epoxidation ofunsaturated fats and oils or esters of fatty acids with alcohols, ringopening with H-active compounds such as, for example, alcohols, aminesand carboxylic acids and subsequent saponification. The fats or oilsrequired as starting material may be of both vegetable and animal originor may optionally be specifically synthesized by petrochemical methods.

The fatty acids may also be derived from oil- and fat-based rawmaterials obtainable, for example, by ene reactions, Diels-Alderreactions, transesterification reactions, condensation reactions,grafting reactions (for example with maleic anhydride or acrylic acid,etc.) and epoxidation reactions. The following are examples of such rawmaterials: a) epoxides of unsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitoleicacid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, erucic acid, linoleicacid, linolenic acid, gadoleic acid; b) reaction products of unsaturatedfatty acids with maleic acid, maleic anhydride, methacrylic acid oracrylic acid; c) condensation products of hydroxycarboxylic acids, suchas ricinoleic acid or 12-hydroxystearic acid, and polyhydroxycarboxylicacids.

Not all the fatty acids described above are stable at room temperature.Accordingly, derivatives of the fatty acids mentioned above, such asesters or amides, may if necessary be employed for the use according tothe invention.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the use ofesters or partial esters of the above-mentioned fatty acids withmonohydric or polyhydric alcohols. “Alcohols” are understood to behydroxyl derivatives of aliphatic and alicyclic, saturated, unsaturated,unbranched or branched hydrocarbons. Besides monohydric alcohols, theseinclude the low molecular weight chain extenders or crosslinkerscontaining hydroxyl groups known per se from polyurethane chemistry.Specific examples of low molecular weight types are methanol, ethanol,propanol, butanol, pentanol, decanol, octadecanol, 2-ethylhexanol,2-octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol,tetramethylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, hexamethylenediol,octamethylenediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-bis-hydroxymethyl cyclohexane,Guerbet alcohol, 2-methylpropane-1,3-diol, hexane-1,2-6-triol, glycerol,trimethylol propane, trimethylol ethane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol,formitol, methyl glycoside, butylene glycol, the dimer and trimer fattyacids reduced to alcohols. Alcohols derived from colophony resins, suchas abietyl alcohol, may also be used for the esterification reaction.

Instead of alcohols, OH-containing tertiary amines, polyglycerol orpartly hydrolyzed polyvinyl esters may also be used.

In addition, polycarboxylic acids or hydroxycarboxylic acids may beadded for the oligomerization reaction. Examples include oxalic acid,malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaric acid,adipic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, 1,11-undecanedioic acid,1,12-dodecanedioic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalicacid, hexahydrophthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid or dimer fattyacid, trimer fatty acid, citric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid,ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid. Adipic acid is preferably used.

Examples of suitable esters besides the partly saponified fats, such asglycerol monostearate, are preferably the natural fats and oils of rapesunflowers, soya, linseed, castor, coconuts, oil palms, oil palm kernelsand oil trees and methyl esters thereof. Preferred fats and oils are,for example, beef tallow with a chain distribution of 67% oleic acid, 2%stearic acid, 1% heptadecanoic acid, 10% saturated acids with a chainlength of C₁₂ to C₁₆, 12% linoleic acid and 2% saturated acidscontaining more than 18 carbon atoms or, for example, the oil of newsunflowers (NSf) with a composition of about 80% oleic acid, 5% stearicacid, 8% linoleic acid and about 7% palmitic acid. The correspondingepoxides and reaction products with maleic anhydride, for example, mayof course also be used. Other examples include partly and completelydehydrated castor oil, partly acetylated castor oil, ring openingproducts of epoxidized soybean oil with dimer fatty acid.

Fatty acid esters and derivatives thereof obtainable by epoxidation mayalso be used. Examples of such esters include soybean oil fatty acidmethyl ester, linseed oil fatty acid methyl ester, ricinoleic acidmethyl ester, epoxystearic acid methyl ester, epoxystearicacid-2-ethylhexyl ester. Among the glycerides, preference is attributedto the triglycerides, for example rapeseed oil, linseed oil, soybeanoil, castor oil, partly and completely dehydrated castor oils, partlyacetylated castor oil, soybean oil epoxide, linseed oil epoxide,rapeseed oil epoxide, epoxidized sunflower oil.

Epoxidized triglycerides of unsaturated fatty acids ring-opened withnucleophiles are preferably used. Nucleophiles in the context of theinvention are alcohols such as, for example, methanol, ethanol, ethyleneglycol, glycerol or trimethylol propane; amines such as, for example,ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine orhexamethylenediamine; or carboxylic acids such as, for example aceticacid, dimer fatty acid, maleic acid, phthalic acid or a mixture of fattyacids containing 6 to 36 carbon atoms.

The fats and oils (triglycerides) may be used both in native form andafter thermal and/or oxidative treatment or in the form of thederivatives obtainable by oxidation or by the addition of maleicanhydride or acrylic acid. Specific examples include palm oil, peanutoil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, castor oil, partly andcompletely dehydrated castor oils, partly acetylated castor oils,sunflower oil, linseed oil, stand oils, blown oils, epoxidized soybeanoil, epoxidized linseed oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oiland tallows.

Amides are also suitable derivatives of the fatty acids mentioned above.They may be obtained by reaction with primary and secondary amines orpolyamines, for example with monoethanolamine, diethanolamine,ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, ammonia, but must still containnucleophilic groups for the reaction with the alkylene oxides.

“Fatty alcohols” in the context of the invention are understood to becompounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl groupsmay be attached to saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkylgroups containing more than 8 carbon atoms and, in particular, more than12 carbon atoms. Besides the —SH, —C═C—, —COOH, amino, anhydride groupsor epoxide groups required for the subsequent reaction with the alkyleneoxides, they may contain other groups, for example ether, ester,halogen, amide, amino, urea and urethane groups. Specific examples ofthe fatty alcohols according to the invention are ricinoleyl alcohol,12-hydroxystearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, linoleylalcohol, linolenyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, erucylalcohol, brassidyl alcohol, dimerdiol (=hydrogenation product of dimerfatty acid methyl ester).

Derivatives of the fatty alcohols include symmetrical andnon-symmetrical ethers and esters with monocarboxylic and polycarboxylicacids. Monocarboxylic acids are understood to be formic acid, aceticacid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid,oenanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, undecanoicacid, lauric acid, tridecanoic acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid,palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, arachicacid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid and melissic acid.Polycarboxylic acids are, for example, oxalic acid, adipic acid, maleicacid, tartaric acid and citric acid. At the same time, the fatty acidsdescribed above, for example oleic acid oleyl ester, may also be used asthe carboxylic acid.

The fatty alcohols may also be etherified, more particularly withpolyhydric alcohols, for example alkyl polyglycosides, dimerdiol ether.Mixtures of the fatty compounds mentioned above may of course also beused as starter molecules for the reaction with the alkylene oxides.

The ratio by weight of the styrene copolymer to the plasticizingnon-aromatic polyalkylene glycol or oleochemical derivative thereof is100:0.5 to 50, preferably 100:2.5 to 40 and above all 100:7.5 to 15 or100:20 to 40.

Besides these two key components, the compounds according to theinvention may contain other ingredients, for example antioxidants,pigments, fillers, plasticizers, preservatives, defoamers, film-formingaids, perfumes, water, coupling agents, solvents, dyes, flameproofingagents, flow control agents, resins, tackifiers, viscosity regulators,dispersion aids (for example the sodium or ammonium salt of polyacrylicacid), emulsifiers (for example alkyl ether phosphates andsulfosuccinates) and thickeners (for example MC, HEG).

Suitable resins are polyisobutylene and polybutylene (for example Hyvis10 of BP), colophony resins and derivatives thereof (esters,hydrogenated products, abietyl alcohol), acrylate resins, phenolicresins, terpene/phenol resins, polyterpenes, epoxy resins, hydrocarbonresins, indene/coumarone resins and melamine resins.

Suitable antioxidants are, for example, phosphorous acid and saltsthereof, hypophorous acid and salts thereof, ascorbic acid andderivatives thereof (particularly ascorbyl palmitate), tocopherol andderivatives thereof, mixtures of ascorbic acid derivatives andtocopherol derivatives, sterically hindered phenol derivatives,particularly BHA (tert.butyl-4-methoxyphenol) and BHT(2,6-ditertbutyl-4-methylphenol), gallic acid and derivatives thereof,particularly alkyl gallates, aromatic amines such as, for example,diphenylamine, naphthylamine and 1,4-phenylenediamine, dihydroquinoline,organic sulfides and polysulfides, dithiocarbamates andmercaptobenzimidazole.

Suitable viscosity regulators are, for example, cellulose ether,hydrogenated castor oil and highly disperse silicas.

Suitable fillers and pigments are chalk, heavy spar, kaolin, carbonblack, gypsum, Aerosil, silica gel, kaolins, talcum, graphite, metaloxides of aluminium, iron, zinc, titanium, chromium, cobalt, nickel,manganese, etc., optionally in the form of mixed oxides, chromates,molybdates, carbonates, silicates, aluminates, sulfates, native fibers,cellulose, wood chips, phthalocyanines and silica flour.

Other plasticizers which may be used in addition to the plasticizersaccording to the invention are oleochemical plasticizers with nopolyalkylene oxide components, more particularly fatty acid methylester, fatty acid esters with other alcohols, triglycerides. Thequantities (parts by weight) in which the additives are used will begoverned by the intended application.

In general, the same fatty compounds described above as startingmaterials for the production of oleochemical derivatives of polyalkyleneoxides may be used as additional plasticizers. However, a reactive groupis no longer necessary. It be deactivated, for example, by reaction witha monohydric alcohol or a carboxylic acid containing 1 to 4 carbonatoms.

The compound according to the invention is produced from the startingmaterials as follows: the plasticizer according to the invention may beadded to the copolymer or to the copolymer dispersion after, during orbefore the polymerization. The formulations are generally produced byinitially introducing the polymer or the polymer dispersion into thereaction vessel and adding the other components while stirring(optionally at elevated temperature). Copolymer dispersions arepreferably used.

The plasticizers according to. the invention can generally bring aboutthe following changes in the styrene copolymer:

The glass transition temperature is reduced.

The copolymer becomes tacky.

The viscosity is partly increased, partly reduced.

Breaking elongation is drastically increased.

Elongation under maximum force is also drastically increased whichsuggests rubber-elastic behavior.

However, it is particularly important that these effects are permanent,i.e. no migration of the plasticizer was observed over a period of 3weeks at 60° C. This is confirmed by the following test: the films werestored between silicone paper for 3 weeks at 60° C. and were evaluatedfor staining of the paper at intervals of 3 days.

Polypropylene glycol with a molecular weight of about 600 g/mole, forexample, is particularly effective. It reduces the viscosity ofstyrene/butyl acrylate copolymer from 7,500 to 1,700 when added in aquantity of 15% by weight. The conditions were as follows: 100 parts byweight of Acronal 290 D were mixed with 15 parts by weight ofPolypropylenglykol 620 (Hüls AG) in a glass beaker for 30 minutes at 60°C. until the dispersion appeared homogeneous. Breaking elongation isalso increased to more than 12,000%. The TG is reduced to −35° C. Otherparticularly important plasticizers according to the invention arePentaglycerol×20 EO×50 PO, TMP×12 PO and a reaction product ofepoxidized soybean oil with head-fractionated fatty acid reacted with20% by weight of ethylene oxide. They have the following particulareffect: in a certain concentration, they also reduce the viscosity ofthe dispersion and the glass transition temperature. They also providethe polymer film with rubber-elastic behavior.

By virtue of these properties, the compositions according to theinvention are suitable for use as binders in the formulation ofadhesives, sealing compounds and coating compounds.

Adhesives in the context of the present invention include hotmeltadhesives, solvent-based adhesives, dispersion adhesives, assemblyadhesives, contact and pressure-sensitive adhesives and redispersionpowders, multipurpose adhesives and adhesive sticks. Suitable substratesinclude paper, paperboard, wood, textiles, wall coverings, tiles,labels, leather, rubber, plastics, glass, ceramics and metals. Coatingsinclude plastisols, dispersion paints and roof insulations. The sealingcompounds may be used both in the building industry and in theautomotive industry. The compound according to the invention may also beadded to hydraulic binders, for example cement or gypsum.

The adhesive varies in its properties, for example in its viscosity and,in particular, in its adhesive strength, according to the type andquantity of plasticizer used and the general composition. For example, acomposition of 80% by weight of Acronal 290 D and 20% by weight ofPolypropylenglykol 600 prevents floor coverings, more particularlycarpet tiles with a textile bottom or a backing of bitumen, PVC oratactic polypropylene, from slipping on typical substrates. Thesubstrate may consist of screeds, for example a cement or anhydritescreed, wooden boards or chipboards and metal substrates. These may beuntreated or primed and pretreated with a levelling compound or coatingbased on cement, polyurethane, epoxy resin or a dispersion.

The following composition not only has a non-slip effect, it alsosecures the floor covering on the substrates mentioned above withrelatively high but limited strength so that it can easily be removedagain:

30% by weight Acronal 290 D,

5% by weight Polypropylenglykol 600,

5% by weight dispersion aid, emulsifier, defoamer, thickener,

15% by weight colophony methyl ester,

15% by weight water,

30% by weight chalk.

The floor covering may be in the form of sheets or tiles and may consistof PVC or a textile material. More particularly, it may be a cushionedvinyl or a textile covering with a latex or PUR foam backing, a textilebottom or a stabilizing coating.

The two compositions may be prepared by stirring the other raw materialsinto the dispersion in the order mentioned at a temperature of 15 to 50°C. and, more particularly, 15 to 30° C.

The following composition leads to firm bonding of the floor covering tothe substrates mentioned above:

35% by weight Acronal 290 D.

37% by weight chalk,

20% by weight of an 80% solution of balsam resin in diethylene glycolmonobutyl ether,

5% by weight Polypropylenglykol 600 and

3% by weight dispersion aid, emulsifier, defoamer, thickener.

The floor covering to be bonded may be a PVC, CV, linoleum or textilecovering with various backings or a heterogeneous covering with atextile or PVC bottom.

The composition is produced as follows: Polypropylenglykol 600,dispersion aid, emulsifier, defoamer and thickener are stirred into thedispersion at 15 to 30° C. The balsam resin solution heated to 50-90° C.and preferably to 70-80° C. is then continuously added and the mixtureis homogenized by stirring. The filler is then added with stirring.Thereafter the mixture is stirred until it is lump-free and homogeneous.

To produce a joint sealing compound, the TG of the styrene copolymermust be below −10° C. and preferably below −20° C. In addition, thedispersion must form a smooth film despite its high filler content. Asuitable sealing compound has the following composition for example: 34%by weight Acronal 290 D, 1% rapeseed oil methyl ester, 5%Polypropylenglykol 600 and 60% chalk. This dispersion is paste-like andis easy to spread. The film produced from the dispersion is elastic andshows high resilience. Accordingly, this composition is suitable for useas a joint sealing compound.

EXAMPLES

I. Starting materials 1. Acronal 290 D = 50% aqueous dispersion of astyrene/butyl acrylate copolymer (anionic) 2. PPG 620 =Polypropylenglykol, MW −600, 3. PPG 2020 = Polypropylenglykol, MW−2,000, 4. A = reaction product of a fatty alcohol (containing 12 to 14carbon atoms) with ethylene oxide in a molar ratio of 1:3, 5. B =reaction product of castor oil with ethylene oxide in a molar ratio of1:20, 6. C = polypropylene glycol alkyl phenyl ether (Plastilit 3060),7. D = reaction product of epoxidized soybean oil with head-fractionatedfatty acid reacted with 20% by weight of ethylene oxide, for example asfollows: In an autoclave, 4,000 g of soya polyol 85 are mixed with 12.5g of a 50% aqueous KOH. To remove the water present, a vacuum of <40mbar is applied for 20 minutes at 90° C.. The contents of the autoclaveare then reacted with a total of 1,000 g of ethylene oxide at 160° C..The after-reaction time is 30 minutes. After cooling to 90° C., 11.1 gof a 90% lactic acid are added. OH value: 94, acid value: 0.4.

II. Production of the Compounds

100 Parts by weight of Acronal 290 D were mixed with the quantities ofpolyalkylene glycols shown in the Table in a glass beaker for 30 minutesat 60° C. until the dispersion appeared homogeneous.

III. Testing of the Compounds

Test specimens were produced as follows: the modified dispersions wereplaced in molds and transferred to an incubator at 40° C. to form filmswhich were then stored for 7 days in a standard conditioning atmosphere(23° C./50% air humidity) and subsequently measured.

The solids concentration (SC) was determined as follows: 5 to 10 g ofthe sample are placed in an aluminium dish, heated for 2 hours at 120 to130° C. and then reweighed. Viscosity (visc.) was determined as follows:Brookfield RVT (20° C.).

Breaking elongation (elongation) was determined under the followingconditions: Instron 4302, Automatic Materials Testing System Series IX,sample width 5 mm, sample thickness 1 mm, sample length 15 mm, pullingrate 200 mm/minute.

The compatibility of the components (exudation) was determined asfollows: the films were stored between silicone paper at 60° C. and,after 3 weeks, were evaluated for staining of the paper.

The glass transition temperature (TG) was determined as follows: DSC 910measuring cell with DuPont 2100, Al crucible with cover, 3 l/h N₂, 20K/minute.

Tackiness (TCK) was determined as follows: a steel ball (diameter 20 mm,weight 32.25 g) rolled down a ramp (height 26 mm, length 115 mm) onto afilm of the composition according to the invention. The distancetravelled on the polymer film was measured (in mm).

The individual results are set out in the Table and show the following

The aliphatic plasticizers are compatible with the aromatic copolymers(no exudation).

The glass transition temperature is greatly reduced. Values below −10°C. and even below −20° C. are obtained.

The compositions become tacky after an addition of about 10%.

In general, there is a dramatic increase in viscosity. However, it mayalso remain the same or even decrease.

Breaking elongation increases, in some cases very considerably.

TABLE 1 Composition and properties of compounds according to theinvention (Examples 2, 3, 4 and 5) Visc. Elongation Example Addition %SC (mPas) % Exudation TG TCK 1 — 0 51.25 7500 1598 No 21 2a PPG 600 2.553.70 15500 4471 No >130(32) 2b ″ 7.5 57.60 6000 3470 No −6 >130(32) 2c″ 15 59.10 1700 >12000 No −35 16(32) 3a PPG 2020 2.5 51.80 36000 4544 No3b ″ 7.5 54.30 38000 5642 No −2 >130(32) 3c ″ 15 58.30 122000 6214 No−17 14(32) 4a A 2.5 50.80 18500 4159 No 4b ″ 7.5 51.93 64000 5875 No −124c ″ 15 52.50 1100000 Yes 5a B 2.5 54.00 10500 4312 No 5b ″ 7.5 56.307400 6819 No 9 5c ″ 15 56.70 11000 4983 No 6a C 2.5 11000 4779 >130 6b ″7.5 28000 4274 52 6c ″ 15.0 70000 9000 10 7a D 2.5 56.40 32000 4318 No7b ″ 7.5 55.60 20000 6206 No 6 7c ″ 15.0 62.20 32000 9021 No −7

What is claimed is:
 1. An adhesive, sealing and coating compositionconsisting essentially of: a copolymer of styrene with an alkylacrylate, wherein the styrene copolymer comprises more than about 30% byweight styrene, the copolymer being plasticized by a plasticizingeffective amount of a first plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of (a) a first non-aromatic polyalkylene oxide, (b) areaction product of one or more fatty compounds and a compound selectedfrom the group consisting of (i) an alkylene oxide, (ii) a secondnon-aromatic polyalkylene oxide and (iii) mixtures thereof, and (c)mixtures thereof.
 2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises as a second plasticizer at least one fattycompound which is not reacted with an alkylene oxide.
 3. The compositionas claimed in claim 1, wherein the styrene copolymer contains more thanabout 60% by weight of styrene.
 4. The composition as claimed in claim1, wherein said first non-aromatic polyalkylene oxide is a polymer ofmonomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propyleneoxide, butylene oxide and mixtures thereof.
 5. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said first or second non-aromaticpolyalkylene oxide is a block copolymer.
 6. The composition as claimedin claim 1, wherein the fatty compound of the reaction product isselected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty alcohols andderivatives thereof.
 7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe plasticizer has a molecular weight of more than about
 400. 8. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plasticizer has amolecular weight of more than about
 600. 9. The composition as claimedin claima 1, wherein the plasticizer has a molecular weight of more thanabout 1,000.
 10. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein forevery 100 parts by weight of styrene copolymer, there are about 0.5 toabout 50 parts of the first plasticizer.
 11. The composition as claimedin claim 1, wherein for every 100 parts by weight of styrene copolymer,there are about 2.5 to about 40 parts of the first plasticizer.
 12. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein for every 100 parts by weightof styrene copolymer, there are about 7.5 to about 15 parts of the firstplasticizer.
 13. A process for producing the compound claimed in claim1, comprising the step of adding the plasticizer to an aqueousdispersion of the styrene copolymer.
 14. A process for the production ofadhesives, sealing compounds and coating compounds, wherein theimprovement comprises producing said adhesives, sealing compounds andcoating compounds with composition claimed in claim
 1. 15. The improvedprocess of claim 14, further comprising the step of laying floorcoverings with the adhesive produced by the improved process.
 16. Theimproved process of claim 14, further comprising the step of sealingjoints with the sealing compound produced by the improved process. 17.An adhesive, sealing and coating composition consisting essentially of:an aqueous dispersion of a poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate), thepoly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) being plasticized by a plasticizingeffective amount of a first plasticizer selected from the groupconsisting of (a) a first non-aromatic polyalkylene oxide, (b) areaction product of one or more fatty compounds and a compound selectedfrom the group consisting of (i) an alkylene oxide, (ii) a secondnon-aromatic polyalkylene oxide and (iii) mixtures thereof, and (c)mixtures thereof.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the firstnon-aromatic polyalkylene oxide is polypropylene glycol.
 19. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction product of thefirst plasticizer is of a fatty compound selected from the groupconsisting of fatty acids, fatty alcohols and derivatives thereof and analkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, butylene oxide and mixtures thereof.
 20. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 17, wherein the reaction product of thefirst plasticizer is of a fatty compound selected from the groupconsisting of fatty acids, fatty alcohols and derivatives thereof and analkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, butylene oxide and mixtures thereof.
 21. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 17, wherein said composition furthercomprises as a second plasticizer at least one fatty compound which isnot reacted with an alkylene oxide.
 22. An adhesive, sealing and coatingcomposition consisting essentially of (a) a copolymer of styrene with acomonomer selected from the group consisting of methacrylate, vinylester, maleic acid ester, ethylene, acrylamide, acrylic acid, butadiene,acrylonitrile and mixtures thereof and a plasticizing effective amountof a first plasticizer selected from the group consisting of (a) a firstnon-aromatic polyalkylene oxide, (b) a reaction product of one or morefatty compounds and a compound selected from the group consisting of (i)an alkylene oxide, (ii) a second non-aromatic polyalkylene oxide and(iii) mixtures thereof, and (c) mixtures thereof.
 23. The composition asclaimed in claim 22, wherein the reaction product of the firstplasticizer is of a fatty compound selected from the group consisting offatty acids, fatty alcohols and derivatives thereof and an alkyleneoxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propyleneoxide, butylene oxide and mixtures thereof.
 24. The composition asclaimed in claim 22, wherein said composition further comprises as asecond plasticizer at least one fatty compound which is not reacted withan alkylene oxide.